Chapter 10 Come to the Hotel
Outside the restaurant.
11 ZEB VOUS’s
Jackson stepped into the car and, through the window, glanced at the woman standing outside. The hem of her knee–length dress fluttered gently in the evening breeze, light and ethereal.
Behind her, the neon lights from the restaurant glowed brightly, making her slender, delicate figure stand out even more, as if a strong gust of wind could carry her away.
His low, steady voice broke the silence. “Look into Elaine.”
When he had first seen her, with her clear, bright eyes, he had truly thought she was just someone in need of money, forced into becoming his mistress. He hadn’t bothered to look into her background, assuming she was like all the others. He never imagined she was the daughter of the Valentine family.
His assistant, Cyrus Jacobson, was driving and nodded in response. “Got it.”
******
At the hotel, Jackson sat down with the file Cyrus had handed him. His gaze drifted over the papers, his dark brows knitting together as he
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Elaine, the youngest daughter of Marcelo, 23 years old. Sent to her grandmother’s house in Prarc Town at age three, returned to the Valentine family at thirteen, and left for Drego at twenty. Aside from a fixed monthly allowance, she was practically neglected by the Valentine family…
He had attended Stacy and Cordell’s wedding but had never met Elaine –she had already been sent away by then.
Though both were daughters of the Valentine family, Stacy had always been the more celebrated one, especially after marrying the heir to the Decker family. She frequently attended business meetings and social events with him.
When people in Aleshire mentioned the Valentine family’s daughter, they thought of Stacy, while Elaine had practically been forgotten.
If it weren’t for this file in his hands, he would have completely forgotten that the Valentine family had another daughter.
He moved to the bar, opened a bottle of red wine, and poured some into a glass. He swirled the wine gently, took a sip, and his dark eyes, unfathomable and deep, stared into the distance.
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Chapter 10 Come to the Hotel
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Back at the Valentine family home, Elaine went straight to her bedroom. Just as she was about to shower, her phone rang. The number on the screen was unfamiliar. After a brief hesitation, she answered.
“Hello?”
“It’s me. Come to the hotel,” came Jackson’s cold, deep voice.
Her heart skipped a beat. His tone was laced with anger. ‘What have I done to upset him?”
She didn’t have time to shower. She quickly changed clothes, grabbed her bag, and headed downstairs. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the living room.
Cordell and Stacy hadn’t left yet. The family was gathered around Abraham, sitting on the sofa.
Stacy was sitting at the coffee table, preparing coffee for Abraham. Her movements were smooth and practiced, clearly honed over the years.
It was probably one of the reasons Abraham liked her so much–she knew how to please him, how to make him happy. Elaine, on the other hand, didn’t even try anymore.
She knew that no matter what she did, Abraham would never show any affection for her, so she stopped wasting time trying.
Olivia came out of the kitchen holding a tray of freshly washed fruit.
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Seeing Elaine with her bag, she asked, “Ms. Valentine, it’s late, are you going out?”
At her words, everyone turned to look at Elaine. She forced a smile and said to Marcelo and Constance, “Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I have something I need to take care of outside.”
Marcelo, who had never paid much attention to Elaine, gave a nonchalant “Okay.” Abraham, still focused on Stacy, didn’t acknowledge her at all.
Constance, still concerned, asked, “Elaine, it’s getting late. Where are you going?”
Elaine quickly came up with an excuse. “I just need to pick up a few things.”
Constance didn’t press her any further, but reminded her to return early and asked Olivia to have Rubin take her out.
